Dubai's Abraaj said to plan new Turkish investment

Dubai-based Abraaj Group said on Thursday it is planning to make another investment in Turkey next year after it recently bought Turkish dairy maker Yorsan Gida Mamulleri.

The private equity firm, which has exited 15 investments this year to raise $700m for investors, is reportedly in talks with companies in the food and education industries.

Selcuk Yorgancioglu, Abraaj’s regional head for Central Asia and Turkey, told Bloomberg in an interview: “We will have an active year in 2014. We want to have at least one opportunity turned into reality next year."

Separately, Abraaj said it continued to be one of the most active investors, committing close to $1 billion across 20 countries.

Arif Naqvi, founder and group chief executive of The Abraaj Group, said: "The past two years have seen a significant increase in Abraaj's investment and exit activity. Particularly satisfying has been Abraaj's ability to source quality investments, consistently drive growth in partnership with the local management of our investee companies, and deliver successful realisations across our markets."

He added: "We believe that the enormous growth potential and economic momentum of our markets creates a very encouraging long-term environment for investing."